Canadian military to invest $38.7 million in DRS Technologies Canada Ltd.

• Tweet

OTTAWA, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Canada's military plans to pay $38.7 million to DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. for communication devices.

Canadian Associate National Defense Minister Bernard Valcourt said the company will manufacture 13,624 communication selector boxes and 4,937 power distribution units for use in Canada's military tactical vehicle network.

"It is essential to the safety of our men and women in uniform," Valcourt said during a news conference. "They play an important role in protecting us. In doing so, they put themselves at risk. We have a responsibility to give them the tools to keep them safe so that they can return home safely to their families."

DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. General Manager and Vice President Steve Zuber said: "I'd say today is a special day. I feel 2 feet above the ground right now. With the electronics manufacturing we do for rugged terrain in places like Afghanistan, a fair amount of 'survivability' has to be built into their products."